Bekka Valley carves out a niche in competitive packaged food scene

Karen Romolino, seen here preparing fattoush salads to be sold in Beaumont hospital locations, left her job as a chef with Royal Oak schools to work with Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods and her longtime friend, Lauren Yacteen.

Lauren Yacteen derived the name for her company Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods, from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Her family, her husband's family and her friend and work partner Karen Romolino's family all came from the area.

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Annalise Frank/Crain's Detroit Business

The quality and preparation of the chickpeas are one of the key components of making smooth hummus, said Lauren Yacteen, who started Shelby Township-based Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods nearly 3 years ago.

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Annalise Frank/Crain's Detroit Business

Lauren Yacteen, who started Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods nearly three years ago, stirs hummus in an industrial blender that makes about 30 pounds of the dip at a time.

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Annalise Frank/Crain's Detroit Business

Recent hire Megan Alter prepares pita chips tossed in olive oil and sea salt to be baked in the oven for Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods. Some of the batches will be sent to Comerica Park for a tasting event Thursday.

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Annalise Frank/Crain's Detroit Business

Owner Lauren Yacteen said her young company Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods planned to produce 180 pounds of pita chips on Tuesday, partly to stock a tasting event Thursday at Comerica Park, where Bekka Valley products will be sold this season for the first time.

Lauren Yacteen's 2 1/2-year-old company Bekka Valley Mediterranean Foods produces hummus, salad dressing, marinades and packaged snacks for gourmet grocery stores and Beaumont hospital locations. Shelby Township-based Bekka Valley products will be sold at Comerica Park this Tigers season under a new contract.

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